98 Lexus Es300 Rear Valve Cover Gasket
01-07-13, 07:59 PM
#18
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The two special tools
PM sent 
Make sure you register on their site as a ClubLexus member and login, before shopping for parts. They give us a pretty hefty discount. The Intake Plenum(17176-62030) gasket is $11.84 (MSRP), and it's $7.16 through Sewell. You must have been looking at some other gasket, possibly the Intake Manifold gaskets (the ones between the cylinder heads and the intake manifold)
EDIT: I forgot to mention that you need two special tools for this job. First is a Torx E6 socket for the wiring harness above the front valve cover. Second is a 5/16" (I believe it's 8mm) Allen key/external socket for the Intake Plenum.
Make sure you register on their site as a ClubLexus member and login, before shopping for parts. They give us a pretty hefty discount. The Intake Plenum(17176-62030) gasket is $11.84 (MSRP), and it's $7.16 through Sewell. You must have been looking at some other gasket, possibly the Intake Manifold gaskets (the ones between the cylinder heads and the intake manifold)
EDIT: I forgot to mention that you need two special tools for this job. First is a Torx E6 socket for the wiring harness above the front valve cover. Second is a 5/16" (I believe it's 8mm) Allen key/external socket for the Intake Plenum.
05-24-13, 03:42 PM
#28
Driver
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: VA
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had to tap them in with a rather large socket and I wasn't exactly gentle. It's a tight fit. When you go to put the covers back on the heads make sure to run something like your fingernail around the spark plug tube to make sure it isn't catching the seal, you'll feel resistance if it is and you'll damage the seals if you try forcing it.
The rear cover can be especially frustrating, if you're having trouble with the wiring harness you might consider disconnecting the rear o2 lead for some slack. I found it alot easier with another pair of hands to hold it out of my way when removing/installing the rear cover.
The plenum bolts are an 8mm allen head. you'll need something similar to this http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece...7880-html.html to easily remove them.
05-25-13, 08:33 AM
#29
The first time probably 10 hours over two days. The last time probably 5 hours. I labeled everything. I put a number on the connection point with a sharpie and the corresponding cable with tape and number. There is one particular bolt that probably took a total of 3 hours to get out and replace. Just takes time, patience and perseverance.
05-25-13, 11:53 AM
#30
The first time probably 10 hours over two days. The last time probably 5 hours. I labeled everything. I put a number on the connection point with a sharpie and the corresponding cable with tape and number. There is one particular bolt that probably took a total of 3 hours to get out and replace. Just takes time, patience and perseverance.
